Chef Grey Poupon

Planting The Seed

With all of this talk about Grey Poupon, I keep forgetting that mustard isn’t grown exclusively in France. In fact, my Granddad Ted used to make the best mustard greens in the South from plants he grew in his very own garden. How remarkable it is to me that so many wonderful things come from so small a seed!

Growing your own mustard truly is quite simple. It does best in full sun and cooler weather so you should sow seeds early in the spring and again in the early fall (anytime after Midsummer). Seeds should be sown 1/4 to 1/3 inch deep and 3 to 5 inches apart. As they become seedlings, thin them to 6 to 12 inches apart.

Mustard should be grown much as you would grow lettuce—with plenty of water and ample fertilizer. Water, fertilize and weed during the dry periods. Mustard should be grown rapidly. Be ready, because in the short time period of 45 to 50 days you will behold this beautiful sight:

It is said that dreaming of a field of mustard foretells of joy and success for the farmer. After seeing how beautiful the fields are, one can only imagine!